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Wide Open Bluegrass First Round Artists Announced

Nashville, TN -- The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) released an initial list of performers for PNC presents Wide Open Bluegrass, which takes place Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in Raleigh, North Carolina. This year’s lineup showcases an array of bluegrass styles, from traditional to progressive and from emerging artists to IBMA Hall of Famers. PNC returns as Wide Open Bluegrass' presenting sponsor for fourth consecutive year.

Wide Open Bluegrass is an urban bluegrass event that includes both ticketed main stage performances at Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater and free stages. A portion of proceeds from the ticket sales of Red Hat Amphitheater go to the IBMA-operated Bluegrass Trust Fund, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to individuals in the bluegrass music community in times of emergency need.

The festival is part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass events, which begin at the Raleigh Convention Center Tuesday, September 27. A second round of performers and special collaborations for Wide Open Bluegrass will be announced in the coming months.

Jerry Douglas presents Earls of Leicester. Dobro master Jerry Douglas and his bluegrass supergroup the Earls of Leicester return as the 2015 IBMA Entertainers of the Year, ready to share material from their upcoming release on Rounder Records, Rattle and Roll.

Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands: Two-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Lewis is one of the leading singers and songwriters in bluegrass music today. Special guest to be announced later.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: As part of their 50th anniversary tour, the iconic and profoundly influential Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, often cited as a catalyst for an entire movement in country, rock and American roots music, will draw from their legendary catalog of hit songs. Their groundbreaking 1972 Will The Circle Be Unbroken album has been inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress and the Grammy Hall of Fame. Special guests to be announced later.

Peter Rowan Band: Rowan’s storied career in bluegrass music spans more than five decades, from his early years with Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys to his time in Old in the Way with Jerry Garcia to fronting his own bluegrass band.

Soggy Bottom Boys: For fans of the blockbuster film O Brother, Where Art Thou? and its Grammy-winning soundtrack hit “Man of Constant Sorrow,” the Soggy Bottom Boys unite for a rare live performance. The band features Dan Tyminski (singing voice for actor George Clooney), Barry Bales, Ron Block; and Pat Enright, Mike Compton, and Stuart Duncan of the Nashville Bluegrass Band.

Saturday, October 1:

Becky Buller Band: Current IBMA Songwriter of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year, Becky Buller is quickly rising among the ranks of bluegrass music’s premier singers and songwriters.

John Cowan with Darin & Brooke Aldridge: Newgrass music pioneer and Doobie Brother John Cowan teams up with North Carolina’s own bluegrass duo Darin & Brooke Aldridge for a special set, with other guests to be announced.

Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers: Larry Sparks is IBMA’s newest inductee into its Bluegrass Hall of Fame, with 50+ years in the industry.

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out: Celebrating 25 years with a chart topping album It’s About Tyme. Moore is the IBMA’s most awarded Male Vocalist of the Year (5-time career).

Steep Canyon Rangers: Grammy-winning Steep Canyon Rangers are enjoying the success of their ninth studio album, RADIO, a project that further illustrates the band’s dynamic songwriting, instrumental virtuosity and high-energy performance. Recorded at Asheville, NC’s Echo Mountain Recording Studio, RADIO was produced by Jerry Douglas.

The Del McCoury Band: A true American icon and most awarded band in the history of bluegrass.

The Kruger Brothers: Fan favorites and acoustic music innovators The Kruger Brothers are cooking up a very special program for the festival, with details to be announced later.

“Wide Open Bluegrass is a remarkable event and an economic boon for our region," said Jim Hansen, PNC regional president of Eastern Carolinas. "Great performers and events are the hallmark of the festival, and this year is no exception. We know all will enjoy the shows in downtown Raleigh.” This is PNC Bank’s fourth year as the festival’s presenting sponsor.

Paul Schiminger, Executive Director of the IBMA noted, “The Wide Open Bluegrass 2-day festival is a combination of stage performances not seen anywhere else in the world. We are excited to offer another spectacular Red Hat artist lineup this year, with more special artists and collaborations to be announced. It will be another fabulous weekend of music that also helps an important cause in our industry.”

William Lewis, Executive Director of PineCone, the local organization that produces the festival in Raleigh, added, “We’re proud to bring a diverse array of musicians to Raleigh, including collaborations you won’t see anywhere else. The festival is a culminating celebration that brings people together to enjoy and appreciate our shared cultural heritage. North Carolina is known for having a vibrant music scene, and this event continues to contribute to making North Carolina a hub for bluegrass and roots music.”

IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event, a five-day annual bluegrass music homecoming and convention, consists of four parts: the IBMA Business Conference, September 27 – 29 ; the 27th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday, September 29; PNC presents Wide Open Bluegrass, September 30 – October 1 (which includes both free stages and ticketed festival performances) and the Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases, taking place September 27 – 29 in downtown Raleigh and the Raleigh Convention Center.

Single day general admission for performances at Red Hat Amphitheater during Wide Open Bluegrass starts as low as $60 for the general public and $50 for IBMA members. Additional details and pricing information - including member discounts – for Red Hat Amphitheater performances, Bluegrass Ramble Showcase passes, IBMA Business Conference registration, IBMA Award Show tickets and hotel reservations are available at IBMA’s website, ibma.org. Tickets for all events are on sale now and may be purchased at www.ibma.org or 1-800-514-3849.

IBMA is the professional trade organization for the global bluegrass music community. The organization’s six-year stay in Raleigh is the result of a partnership with The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Raleigh Convention Center, PineCone (The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music), the City of Raleigh, and a local organizing committee. For more information: www.ibma.org.

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.